Birdfy Feeder Review: Are These Camera Bird Feeders Worth It?
If you’re a fan of birdwatching or simply love the idea of connecting with nature from the comfort of your home, the Birdfy range of camera bird feeders might have caught your eye. Combining technology and wildlife, these devices promise to make birdwatching more accessible, engaging, and interactive. But do they live up to the hype?
I have two popular models from the Birdfy range, the Birdfy Bamboo Feeder with Camera and the Birdfy Solar-Powered Bird Feeder Camera, and this review dives deep into their features, pros, cons, and my experiences. I asked for the Bamboo feeder as a Christmas present and as we were so impressed with it, we soon bought the other one!
Links to some videos from our camera bird feeders!
The Squirrel having a feast on TikTok or on Instagram
A mixture of the birds we have had on TikTok or on Instagram
The Birdfy Solar-Powered Camera Bird Feeder
The first camera feeder I got was the Bamboo Birdfy Solar-Powered Bird Feeder Camera, which pitches itself as a greener, premium option thanks to the addition of solar panels.
Key Features:
- Eco-friendly bamboo design makes it a stylish yet sustainable choice that blends in well.
- Solar panel integration ensures longer battery life for uninterrupted usage. This has been plugged in and worked constantly for 5 months now with no issues.
- Massive 3L seed capacity, reducing refills even further than the standard Birdfy Feeder. Unless the pigeons are hungry, in which case, it is quickly eaten!
- Extendable perch, this is great if you want to attract larger birds, but we removed it and the pigeons have been a bit less persistent!
- Weatherproof, to ensure it lasts well, I sprayed it with a waterproof lacquer, but I am sure it would have lasted well anyway!
Pros:
- Eco-conscious materials with sustainably sourced bamboo that looks nice and blend into natural surroundings.
- Solar efficiency: The solar panel keeps the feeder powered indefinitely in sunny conditions, removing the hassle of frequent charging.
- Bigger capacity: The 3L food bin is an excellent addition for those who don’t want a “high-maintenance” feeder setup. Even with our greedy pigeons, it lasts a week, for only smaller birds it would last much longer, but we live near woods which house a lot of wood pigeons!
Cons:
- Hefty price tag: At £209.99, it’s the premium choice in the range, which may be a bit pricy for some.
- Larger size: While the design is beautiful, it’s slightly bulkier than the standard feeder, requiring a bit more space in your garden.
- AI Bird recognition: A great idea, but it does cost extra
The Birdfy Feeder with Camera
The second product I tried was the Birdfy Feeder with Camera. This device is plastic and doesn’t blend in as well as the bamboo feeder, but it has the same great technology.
Key Features:
- 1080P Full HD Camera with night vision, ensuring sharp, clear footage of visiting birds.
- AI bird recognition with 6,000+ species supported, helping you identify your feathered visitors easily. That said, the likelihood of more than 20 species in the UK is slim!
- Motion detection alerts, with push notifications sent via the Birdfy app whenever birds are spotted.
- Large 1.5L food container, which reduces how often you need to refill it. Unless, like me, you have loads of wood pigeons stuffing their faces!
- Weatherproof Design, rated IP65 to withstand rain, wind, and snow.
- Two-way audio, so you can “talk” to your birds or shoo away pigeons or squirrels. I mean, I say this, but the squirrels don’t listen to me, and I like them anyway!
Pros:
- High-resolution camera clarity: The image and video quality are excellent, even in low light.
- AI bird recognition: Perfect for those wanting to learn about the birds visiting their garden. I haven’t used this though, as for any birds I am unsure about, I just use the Merlin app and don’t have to pay for the AI features on the camera!
- User-friendly app integration: Pairing the feeder with the Birdfy app is straightforward, offering features like stored video playback and real-time viewing.
- Sturdy, weather-resistant design: You don’t have to worry about leaving it outside in unpredictable UK weather.
Cons:
- Battery management: The 5,000mAh battery can last a couple of months in moderate activity settings, but this heavily depends on how frequently the camera activates. I have the solar upgrade, and it has been flawless and has worked for months now.
- Pricey for beginners: £129.99 might be a stretch for someone who’s just thinking of trying out birdwatching.
- Squirrel issues: While the clips holding the lid down are good, some particularly persistent ones found ways to access the seeds by popping the top off. This only happened once, so it could be that the lid wasn’t clicked down properly.
My Experience
The Birdfy Feeder with Camera felt user-friendly right out of the box, and I could see why it’s marketed toward beginners or anyone who’s just dipping their toes into birdwatching. The image quality wowed me instantly. Within days, I was capturing close-up footage of robins, sparrows, and blue tits.
The Bamboo feeder is probably my favourite of the two visually, but they both work just as well otherwise. The solar panels work like a charm during sunny stretches, and even in January, it was great.
FAQs About Birdfy Feeders
1) How easy are they to set up?
Very! Both feeders come with clear instructions, and you can choose from wall, pole, or tree mounting options. Expect to spend 15–20 minutes getting everything in place. I would also advise charging the internal battery before putting it up too then the solar panel just needs to keep that topped up!
2) Do you need the AI extra?
No, I wouldn’t pay for the extra unless you really want to. The Merlin app is free and can easily identify from a photo.
3) Can I use the app remotely?
Absolutely! The Birdfy app allows you to watch your feeder from anywhere via a Wi-Fi connection.
4) Is the solar model worth the extra cost?
If you live somewhere sunny or want a “set it and forget it” option, the solar version is worth considering. It’s ideal for reducing maintenance while still enjoying all the tech perks.
5) Are these feeders truly squirrel-proof?
While they are resistant to squirrels, no feeder is 100% squirrel-proof. Persistent squirrels may still try their luck and can get to the seeds, considering the place you fix your feeder may impact this.
Which Birdfy Feeder Should You Choose?
If you’re a beginner or looking to spend less, the Birdfy Feeder with Camera is a fantastic entry-level option with all the essential features, including clear video. For eco-conscious bird lovers or those with a bigger budget, the Bamboo Birdfy Solar-Powered Bird Feeder Camera is a great sustainable solution.
Either way, both feeders do an excellent job, and you will soon be sharing all the lovely birds and squirrels, in our case, with your family and friends!
